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Abstract:

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for facilitating retail
promotions. The systems and methods disclosed generally include: (a)
defining terms of a retail promotion; (b) identifying whether a consumer
has acted in accordance with the terms of the retail promotion; and (c)
authorizing a tender presented by the consumer, based on whether the
consumer has acted in accordance with the terms of the retail promotion.
The disclosed systems and methods have wide ranging applicability,
including (non-exclusively): (1) allowing a brand company to initiate
localized promotions at a point-of-sale retailer; (2) allowing a
point-of-sale retailer to initiate localized promotions; and/or (3)
allowing a point-of-sale retailer to build a customer database and build
customer loyalty, without having to make significant changes to their
point-of-sale terminal infrastructure.

Claims:

1. A method for facilitating a promotion, comprising: (a) defining one or
more terms of a retail promotion; (b) identifying whether a consumer has
acted in accordance with the one or more terms of the retail promotion;
and (c) authorizing a tender presented by the consumer based on whether
the consumer has acted in accordance with the one or more terms of the
retail promotion.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving data on the
consumer's action, and effectuating the tender.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: changing a value of the
tender based on the consumer's action.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the data on the consumer's action
includes promotion variables selected from the group consisting of: a SKU
identifier of items purchased or presented, a mix of items purchased or
presented, quantities of items purchased or presented, time of day, date,
location, customer identifier, amounts paid, and any equivalents or
combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a notification to
the consumer at a point-of-sale terminal.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing the consumer with
the one or more terms of the retail promotion.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving consumer
registration information from the consumer, and populating a consumer
database based on the consumer registration information.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing the consumer with
the tender.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the tender is in the form of: a
print-out voucher, a QR code, a barcode, a prepaid card, an alphanumeric
code, a pin number, and any combinations thereof.

10. A system for facilitating promotions, comprising: means for defining
one or more terms of a retail promotion; means for identifying whether a
consumer has acted in accordance with the one or more terms of the retail
promotion; and means for authorizing a tender presented by the consumer
based on whether the consumer has acted in accordance with the one or
more terms of the retail promotion.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising: an interface for
communicating data with a point-of-sale terminal, wherein the interface
allows the system to receive data on the consumer's action, and wherein
the interface allows the system to effectuate the tender.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the data on the consumer's action
includes promotion variables selected from the group consisting of: a SKU
identifier of items purchased or presented, a mix of items purchased or
presented, quantities of items purchased or presented, time of day, date,
location, customer identifier, amounts paid, and any equivalents or
combinations thereof.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising: means for providing a
notification to the consumer.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said means for providing a
notification include providing the consumer with the one or more terms of
the retail promotion.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising: means for receiving
consumer registration information from the consumer; and means for
populating a consumer database based on the consumer registration
information.

16. The system of claim 10, further comprising: means for providing the
consumer with the tender.

17. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: instructions
executable by at least one processing device that, when executed, cause
the processing device to (a) define one or more terms of a retail
promotion; (b) identify whether a consumer has acted in accordance with
the one or more terms of the retail promotion; and (c) authorize a tender
presented by the consumer based on whether the consumer has acted in
accordance with the one or more terms of the retail promotion.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, further comprising:
instructions executable by at least one processing device that, when
executed, cause the processing device to receive data on the consumer's
action, and effectuate the tender.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, further comprising:
instructions executable by at least one processing device that, when
executed, cause the processing device to change a value of the tender
based on the consumer's action.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the data on
the consumer's action includes promotion variables selected from the
group consisting of: a SKU identifier of items purchased or presented, a
mix of items purchased or presented, quantities of items purchased or
presented, time of day, date, location, customer identifier, amounts
paid, and any equivalents or combinations thereof.

21. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, further comprising:
instructions executable by at least one processing device that, when
executed, cause the processing device to provide a notification to the
consumer.

22. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, further comprising:
instructions executable by at least one processing device that, when
executed, cause the processing device to provide the consumer with the
one or more terms of the retail promotion.

23. The computer-readable storage medium, of claim 17, further
comprising: instructions executable by at least one processing device
that, when executed, cause the processing device to receive consumer
registration information from the consumer, and populate a consumer
database based on the consumer registration information.

24. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, further comprising:
instructions executable by at least one processing device that, when
executed, cause the processing device to provide the consumer with the
tender.

Description:

SUMMARY

[0001] Disclosed herein are systems and methods for facilitating retail
promotions by providing a consumer with a form of tender whose value
changes depending on the contents of the consumer's basket of goods at a
point-of-sale retailer. The systems and methods disclosed generally
include: (a) defining terms of a retail promotion; (b) identifying
whether a consumer has acted in accordance with the terms of the retail
promotion; and (c) authorizing a tender presented by the consumer, based
on whether the consumer has acted in accordance with the terms of the
retail promotion. The disclosed systems and methods have wide ranging
applicability, including (non-exclusively): (1) allowing a brand company
to initiate localized promotions at a point-of-sale retailer; (2)
allowing a point-of-sale retailer to initiate localized promotions;
and/or (3) allowing a point-of-sale retailer to build a customer database
and build customer loyalty, without having to make significant changes to
their point-of-sale terminal infrastructure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0002] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, form part
of the specification. Together with this written description, the
drawings further serve to explain the principles of, and to enable a
person skilled in the relevant art(s), to make and use the claimed
systems and methods.

[0003]FIG. 1 is a high-level flow chart illustrating processes and
relationships previously available to the parties that partake in the
presented systems and methods.

[0004]FIG. 2 is a high-level flow chart illustrating aspects of the
presented systems and methods.

[0005]FIG. 3 is a high-level flowchart illustrating a method for
facilitating retail promotions, in accordance with one embodiment
presented herein.

[0006]FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a computer system used to
implement the methods presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] Disclosed herein are systems and methods for facilitating retail
promotions. The systems and methods disclosed are generally performed by
a service provider for the benefit of at least one point-of-sale (POS)
retailer (e.g., a retail store or retail chain). In essence, the service
provider is serving as a cloud-based computing solution to the POS
retailer. By receiving "the contents of the basket" (as will be further
described below) and controlling the tender at the POS terminal (i.e.,
the register), the service provider can replicate and/or augment the
function of the POS terminal while adding additional features, functions,
and processes that would not otherwise be available at the POS terminal.

[0008] For example, in one embodiment, the service provider generally: (a)
defines, sets, receives, or otherwise establishes terms of a retail
promotion; (b) receives data on a consumer's actions at the POS terminal;
(c) identifies whether the consumer has acted in accordance with the
terms of the retail promotion; and (d) authorizes a tender presented by
the consumer, based on whether the consumer has acted in accordance with
the terms of the retail promotion. The disclosed systems and methods have
wide ranging applicability, including (non-exclusively): (1) allowing a
brand company to initiate localized promotions at a point-of-sale
retailer; (2) allowing a point-of-sale retailer to initiate localized
promotions; and/or (3) allowing a point-of-sale retailer to build a
customer database and build customer loyalty, without having to make
significant changes to their point-of-sale terminal infrastructure.

[0009] In one embodiment, the systems and methods further include: (e)
effectuating the tender based on the consumer's actions; and/or (f)
changing a value of the tender based on the consumer's action. For
example, the data on the consumer's action (described herein as "the
contents of the basket") may include promotional considerations and/or
variables such as: a stock-keeping unit (SKU) identifier of items
purchased or presented, a mix of items purchased or presented, quantities
of items purchased or presented, time of day, date, location of POS
retailer, customer identifier, amounts paid, and any equivalents or
combinations thereof. Examples of equivalent promotions and promotional
considerations include: the weather (e.g., "50% of soda purchases when
the temperature exceeds 90 degrees"); sporting event results (e.g., "50%
of soda purchases when the home team wins"); or other events (e.g., "50%
of soda purchases when the downtown parade ends"). Before or during the
consumer's visit to the POS retailer, the consumer may be provided a form
of tender such as: a print-out voucher, a quick response (QR) code, a
barcode, a prepaid card, an alphanumeric code, a pin number, and any
combinations or equivalents thereof. As such, if the consumer's action
match the pre-defined terms of the retail promotion (e.g., purchase of a
defined mix of items on a specific date), then the form of tender is
authorized, validated, effectuated, or otherwise accepted as a form of
payment at the POS terminal.

[0010] In one or more other embodiments, the systems and methods further
include: (g) providing a notification to the consumer at the POS
terminal; (h) providing the consumer with the one or more terms of the
retail promotion; (i) receiving consumer registration information from
the consumer; and/or (j) populating a consumer database based on the
consumer registration information.

[0011] The following is a description of one or more embodiments of the
present invention, with reference to FIGS. 1-4. It is to be understood
that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments
described. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein
is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not
intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be
limited only by the appended claims.

[0012]FIG. 1 is a high-level flow chart illustrating processes and
relationships previously available to the parties that partake in the
presented systems and methods. In a typical off-line retail environment
100, a consumer 102 visits (dotted line 103) one or more POS retailers
106, in order to purchase goods 105 provided by a brand company, such as
consumer-packaged goods (CPG) company 104. In order to increase consumer
visits to POS retailers 106, CPG 104 may spend marketing funds (arrow
107) on a traditional media outlet 108 (e.g., television, newspaper,
magazine, etc.), an online property 110 (e.g., a website, social network,
Facebook®, Twitter®, mobile app, etc.), through traditional coupons
(not shown), or other alternative means. Consumer 102 may in turn have an
information-rich relationship 111 with online property 110, wherein the
consumer's identification data is kept on a database controlled by online
property 110. However, unfortunately for POS retailers 106, there's a
growing trend wherein consumers 102 are showing a lack of loyalty to any
particular POS retailer. In other words, there is a blurring of
distribution channels, in which consumers 102 find CPG products 105 in
one of many POS retailers 106, and have no affinity to any particular POS
retailer. Further, POS retailers 106 lack the means to develop the
information-rich relationships with consumers, such as relationships 111
between consumers 102 and online properties 110. Additionally, because
POS retailers 106 cannot validate/prove visits 103 resulting from
promotional campaigns, CPG 104 typically directs marketing funds 107 to
traditional media outlets 108 and online properties 110, instead of
directing such funds directly to POS retailers 106.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a high-level flow chart illustrating aspects of the
presented systems and methods. As shown in FIG. 2, a service provider 210
serves as a cloud-based computing solution for POS retailer 106. In one
embodiment, each party serves a stand-alone function within system 200.
However, in an alternative embodiment, service provider 102 may be
incorporated into, or be a functional unit of, CPG 104 and/or POS
retailer 106.

[0014] In practice, POS retailer 106 uses interface 217 to send the
contents of the consumer's basket to service provider 210, and allow
service provider 210 to control the tender of payment between consumer
102 and the POS terminal. The contents of the basket includes information
such as (non-exclusively): SKU identifier of items purchased or presented
to the POS terminal, a mix of items purchased or presented, quantities of
items purchased or presented, time of day, date, location of POS
retailer, customer identifier, amounts paid, and any equivalents or
combinations thereof, as well as any other promotional variables set or
defined by any of the parties involved. By sending the contents of the
basket up to service provider 102, the service provider can confirm
whether the consumer is acting in accordance with a pre-defined promotion
(i.e., whether the contents of the basket satisfy the terms of the
promotion).

[0015] Service provider 210 then controls the tender of payment between
consumer 102 and POS 106. As such, service provider 210 can effectuate
and/or change the value of the tender depending on the contents of the
basket. If the contents of the consumer's basket match the pre-defined
terms of the retail promotion (e.g., the mix of items purchased on a
specific date), then the form and/or value of tender may be authorized,
validated, effectuated, changed, or otherwise accepted as a form of
payment at the POS terminal. Forms of tender may include
(non-exclusively): a print-out voucher, a QR code, a barcode, a prepaid
card, an alphanumeric code, a pin number, and any combinations or
equivalents thereof.

[0016] CPG 104 uses interface 207 to create, transmit, or otherwise define
a desired retail promotion with service provider 210. In alternative
embodiments, a retail promotion may be created, transmitted, or otherwise
defined by service provider 210, online property 110, POS retailer 106,
an unrelated party, and/or any combination thereof. Service provider 210
may then use various means to provide consumer 102 with notification of
the promotion and/or a means of tender. For example, consumer 102 may
register with service provider 210, wherein service provider 102
maintains a consumer database 212; consumer 102 may allow service
provider 210 to retrieve the consumer's data 215 from an online property
110; and/or service provider 210 can provide a consumer 102 with
notification at POS retailer 106. Because service provider 102 can use
the data received over interface 217 to prove that a particular promotion
is increasing visits 103 at POS retailer 106, and/or whether a certain
promotion is generating positive consumer response at POS retailer 106,
CPG 104 can redirect marketing funds 107 directly to POS retailer 106.
Also, service provider 210 allows a means for POS retailer 106 to
populate a consumer database 212, and thereby create programs to foster
consumer loyalty at POS retailer 106. More generally, however, system 200
makes it possible for consumer data, which may be controlled by online
property 110, CPG 104, POS retailer 106, or other third-party, to migrate
amongst all parties involved if the proper agreements are in place
between the parties.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a high-level flowchart illustrating a method for
facilitating retail promotions, in accordance with one embodiment
presented herein. In step 301, one or more terms of a retail promotion
are defined. As used herein, to "define" one or more terms may include
setting rules based on direction and/or input from one or more third
parties. As such, a service provider may define terms of a retail
promotion under the direction or request of a brand company (e.g., CPG),
a POS retailer, an online property, an unrelated party, and/or any
combination thereof. In one example, to define terms of a retail
promotion may include rules such as: if a consumer purchases items A and
B, on date XX/XX/XXX, then the consumer will receive a promotional value
of $Y. As used herein, to "purchase" an item generally includes, inter
alia, presenting an item for purchase, showing intent to purchase, and/or
offering to purchase. In steps 302 and 303, respectively, the service
provider may notify consumers of the terms of the retail promotion and
provide consumers with a means of tender. In alternative embodiments, a
notification and/or form of tender may be provided by a CPG, an online
property, a POS retailer, an unrelated party, and/or any combination
thereof.

[0018] In step 305, the service provider receives the contents of the
basket from the POS terminal. In other words, when a consumer visits a
POS retailer/terminal, and presents goods for purchase, such presentment
data is pushed, pulled, or otherwise sent to or receive by the service
provider. In one embodiment, such "push" or "pull" function may be
performed by a computerized application programming interface (API). (The
terms "push," "pull," "send," and/or "receive," as used in this
description, are not intended to be limiting.) Step 305 may be performed
with or without knowledge or consent by the consumer. As such, the
service provider may receive the contents of the basket in all
circumstances. In step 307, the contents of the basket are checked
against the terms of any and all existing or future retail promotions. In
other words, the service provider confirms whether the basket is in
accordance with the terms of the promotion, or establishes a new
promotion in response to the consumer's actions.

[0019] If the contents of the basket are in accordance with the terms of
the promotion, the service provider authorizes, validates, or otherwise
effectuates tender, in step 309. The service provider may also change the
value of the tender depending on the contents of the basket. In step 311,
the service provider may settle accounting with the POS retailer and/or a
parent company, with the POS terminal being completely blind to the value
of the tender and/or promotion.

[0020] For example, a consumer may be notified of a CPG promotion to
purchase two six-packs of soda (a value of $5.98) for the price of one
($2.99), but only after 3:00 PM on Wednesday afternoons (step 302). The
consumer may also be provided with a means of tender, such as a QR code
on their mobile device (step 303). If the consumer presents to the POS
terminal two six-packs of soda after 3:00 PM on a Wednesday afternoon,
such information is sent to the service provider. The service provider
then confirms that the consumer has acted in accordance with the terms of
the CPG promotion, and effectuates the tender by assigning a value of
$5.98 to the tender (i.e., the QR code). The QR code can be read at the
POS terminal, and the POS terminal can interpret the QR code as having
paid the full value of $5.98. The consumer would then pay $2.99, either
directly to the service provider, or to the POS terminal. The balance of
the value of the promotion can be supplied as a marketing fund from the
CPG.

[0021] In step 310, the consumer may be provided with a notification via
the POS terminal. For example, the service provider may take control of
the receipt printing operation and provide various notifications and
instructions to the consumer. In one example, the service provider can
use the notification process to invite/require the consumer to register
their personal identification information with the service provider, in a
database, in order to receive future promotional information. In another
example, the service provider may receive the contents of the basket
(regardless of whether the consumer knows of an existing promotion or
presents a unique tender) and cause a notification to be printed on the
receipt if a particular product is purchased. As such, the service
provider can execute a promotion in all circumstances, even when no
particular tender has been presented.

Computer Implementation.

[0022] The presented methods, or any part(s) or function(s) thereof, may
be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof, and
may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing
systems. For example, the presented methods may be implemented with the
use of one or more dedicated servers and/or cloud-based architecture.
Where the presented methods refer to manipulations that are commonly
associated with mental operations, such as, for example, receiving,
selecting, identifying, confirming, authorizing, and the like, no such
capability of a human operator is necessary. In other words, any and all
of the operations described herein may be machine operations. Useful
machines for performing the operation of the methods include general
and/or special purpose digital computers, hand-held mobile device or
smartphones, computer systems programmed to perform the specialized
algorithms described herein, or similar devices.

[0023] In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward one or more
computer systems capable of carrying out the functionality described
herein. For example, FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a computer system
400 used to implement the methods presented above. Computer system 400
includes one or more processors, such as processor 404. The processor 404
is connected to a communication infrastructure 406 (e.g., a
communications bus, cross-over bar, or network). Computer system 400 can
include a display interface 402 that forwards graphics, text, and other
data from the communication infrastructure 406 (or from a frame buffer
not shown) for display on a local or remote display unit 430.

[0024] Computer system 400 also includes a main memory 408, such as random
access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 410. The
secondary memory 410 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 412
and/or a removable storage drive 414, representing a floppy disk drive, a
magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, flash memory device, etc. The
removable storage drive 414 reads from and/or writes to a removable
storage unit 418. Removable storage unit 418 represents a floppy disk,
magnetic tape, optical disk, flash memory device, etc., which is read by
and written to by removable storage drive 414. As will be appreciated,
the removable storage unit 418 includes a computer usable storage medium
having stored therein computer software, instructions, and/or data.

[0025] In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 410 may include other
similar devices for allowing computer programs or other instructions to
be loaded into computer system 400. Such devices may include, for
example, a removable storage unit 422 and an interface 420. Examples of
such may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as
that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an
erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or programmable read only
memory (PROM)) and associated socket, and other removable storage units
422 and interfaces 420, which allow computer software, instructions,
and/or data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 422 to
computer system 400.

[0026] Computer system 400 may also include a communications interface
424. Communications interface 424 allows computer software, instructions,
and/or data to be transferred between computer system 400 and external
devices. Examples of communications interface 424 may include a modem, a
network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot and
card, etc. Software and data transferred via communications interface 424
are in the form of signals 428 which may be electronic, electromagnetic,
optical or other signals capable of being received by communications
interface 424. These signals 428 are provided to communications interface
424 via a communications path (e.g., channel) 426. This channel 426
carries signals 428 and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber
optics, a telephone line, a cellular link, a radio frequency (RF) link, a
wireless communication link, and other communications channels.

[0027] In this document, the terms "computer-readable storage medium,"
"computer program medium," and "computer usable medium" are used to
generally refer to media such as removable storage drive 414, removable
storage units 418, 422, data transmitted via communications interface
424, and/or a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 412. These computer
program products provide computer software, instructions, and/or data to
computer system 400. These computer program products also serve to
transform a general purpose computer into a special purpose computer
programmed to perform particular functions, pursuant to instructions from
the computer program products/software. Embodiments of the present
invention are directed to such computer program products.

[0028] Computer programs (also referred to as computer control logic) are
stored in main memory 408 and/or secondary memory 410. Computer programs
may also be received via communications interface 424. Such computer
programs, when executed, enable the computer system 400 to perform the
features of the present invention, as discussed herein. In particular,
the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor 404 to perform
the features of the presented methods. Accordingly, such computer
programs represent controllers of the computer system 400. Where
appropriate, the processor 404, associated components, and equivalent
systems and sub-systems thus serve as "means for" performing selected
operations and functions. Such "means for" performing selected operations
and functions also serve to transform a general purpose computer into a
special purpose computer programmed to perform said selected operations
and functions.

[0029] In an embodiment where the invention is implemented using software,
the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into
computer system 400 using removable storage drive 414, interface 420,
hard drive 412, or communications interface 424. The control logic
(software), when executed by the processor 404, causes the processor 404
to perform the functions and methods described herein.

[0030] In another embodiment, the methods are implemented primarily in
hardware using, for example, hardware components such as application
specific integrated circuits (ASICs) Implementation of the hardware state
machine so as to perform the functions and methods described herein will
be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). In yet another
embodiment, the methods are implemented using a combination of both
hardware and software.

[0031] Embodiments of the invention may also be implemented as
instructions stored on a machine-readable medium, which may be read and
executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable medium may include
any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable
by a machine (e.g., a computing device). For example, a machine-readable
medium may include read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM);
magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices;
electrical, optical, acoustical or other forms of propagated signals
(e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.), and
others. Further, firmware, software, routines, instructions may be
described herein as performing certain actions. However, it should be
appreciated that such descriptions are merely for convenience and that
such actions in fact result from computing devices, processors,
controllers, or other devices executing firmware, software, routines,
instructions, etc.

[0032] For example, in one embodiment, there is provided a
computer-readable storage medium, having instructions executable by at
least one processing device that, when executed, cause the processing
device to: (a) define one or more terms of a retail promotion; (b)
identify whether a consumer has acted in accordance with the one or more
terms of the retail promotion; and (c) authorize a tender presented by
the consumer based on whether the consumer has acted in accordance with
the one or more terms of the retail promotion. The computer-readable
storage medium may further comprise instructions executable by at least
one processing device that, when executed, cause the processing device
to: (d) receive data on the consumer's action; (e) effectuate the tender;
(f) change a value of the tender based on the consumer's action; (g)
provide a notification to the consumer; and/or (h) provide the consumer
with the one or more terms of the retail promotion. The computer-readable
storage medium may further comprise instructions executable by at least
one processing device that, when executed, cause the processing device
to: (i) receive consumer registration information from the consumer; (j)
populate a consumer database based on the consumer registration
information; and/or (k) provide the consumer with the tender. The data on
the consumer's action may include promotion variables selected from the
group consisting of: SKU identifier of items purchased or presented, mix
of items purchased or presented, quantities of items purchased or
presented, time of day, date, location, customer identifier, amounts
paid, and any or equivalents combinations thereof (e.g., the weather, the
results of a sporting event, or any other event). The form of tender may
be selected from the group consisting of: a print-out voucher, a QR code,
a barcode, a prepaid card, an alphanumeric code, a pin number, and any
combinations or equivalents thereof.

[0033] In still another embodiment, there is provided a computer-based
system having: (a) means for defining one or more terms of a retail
promotion; (b) means for identifying whether a consumer has acted in
accordance with the one or more terms of the retail promotion; and (c)
means for authorizing a tender presented by the consumer based on whether
the consumer has acted in accordance with the one or more terms of the
retail promotion. The system may further include: (d) an interface for
communicating data with a point-of-sale terminal. The interface may allow
the system to receive data on the consumer's action and to effectuate the
tender. The data on the consumer's action may include promotion variables
selected from the group consisting of: SKU identifier of items purchased
or presented, mix of items purchased or presented, quantities of items
purchased or presented, time of day, date, location, customer identifier,
amounts paid, and any combinations or equivalents thereof (e.g., the
weather, the results of a sporting event, or any other event). The system
may further include: (e) means for providing a notification to the
consumer. The means for providing a notification may include providing
the consumer with the one or more terms of the retail promotion. The
system may further include: (f) means for receiving consumer registration
information from the consumer; (g) means for populating a consumer
database based on the consumer registration information; and/or (h) means
for providing the consumer with the tender.

CONCLUSION

[0034] It is noted that the figures, individually and/or collectively,
serve as embodiments of the presented systems and methods. Each
individual process or sub-process performed within the embodiments
described can be performed by one or more parties, as well as one or more
computer systems. For example, in one embodiment, some or all of the
communications and data transfers between CPG 104, online property 110,
POS retailer 106, and/or service provider 210 are performed via an
automated computer-based system, such as an application program
interface. Further, not all of the individual process or sub-process
described are necessary for implementing the systems and methods
described herein. As such, the embodiments presented in the figures are
not intended to be limiting.

[0035] The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for
purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Other
modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above
teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best
explain the principles of the invention and its practical application,
and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the
invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited
to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended
claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the
invention; including equivalent structures, components, methods, and
means.

[0036] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0037] As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this
disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated
herein has discrete components and features which may be readily
separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several
embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present
invention. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events
recited or in any other order which is logically possible.

[0038] It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and
not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to
interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one
or more, but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as
contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the
present invention and the appended claims in any way.